First completed by the celebrated Arctic adventurer Fritjof Nansen in 1888, this expedition is still a major achievement, albeit with the luxury of modern equipment and transport to the start of the journey.

We traverse this 335mile/539km trek over 30 days and build the entire trip into a 36 day expedition. It is ideal training for Antarctic and Arctic travel. We include the latest communications equipment in our kit and have reliable aircraft support as backup but yhe nature of this expedition demands strong team cohesion and commitment.

If you have a good level of fitness and are a team player then we welcome you to apply for a place on the expedition team.

Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing and polar travel. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.

We employ strong and specialised Expedition leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.

Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.

A non-refundable deposit of EUR2,000 is payable to secure a place on the expedition.

Balance

The balance is payable 120 days prior to the trip start date.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 120 days prior to your trip commencement date. An expedition member may then cancel his/her participation on the following basis:

Cancellations outside of 120 days will result in the loss of the trip deposit.For cancellations made within 119 - 90 days of the trip commencement date we reserve the right to retain 50% of the balance payment fee.For cancellations within 89 days of the departure date a cancellation fee of 100% of the full fee applies.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Team members should take out private insurance if they wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. This is called trip cancellation insurance and can be obtained through your normal travel agent.

The team will have a minimum size of 4 members and 1 guide and a maximum size of 8 members and 2 guides.

Our Guides

The Adventure Consultants team includes experienced Arctic/Antarctic travellers whose knowledge and expertise is imperative in making these expeditions a success. The guides for each crossing are confirmed six months prior to departure time.

Head Office Support Team

Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.

Kelly brings a vast knowledge of AC expeditioning to her role as 'Rest of the World' Client Liaison. Having worked for AC since 2004 Kelly oversees those trips outside of New Zealand, Europe or the Himalaya.

Your Health

Expedition members will be provided with pre-trip medical advice and a medical questionnaire and asked to visit their family physician to receive a full medical examination. This information will be sighted only by the expedition leader and our medical adviser and treated with full confidentiality.

Level of Experience Required

Team members will require previous backcountry winter experience on skis and the ability to work well within a team environment. The nature of this expedition demands strong team cohesion and commitment. An essential ingredient for participants is physical fortitude for working hard in a cold weather environment hence each member must be strong and healthy.

Difficulty Rating

Each of our trips is individually rated according to its physical and technical difficulty, displayed in the icons towards the top of each trip page. You can click on the accompanying question mark for additional descriptions and the full run-down of our grading system is available on our Difficulty Ratings page.

Preparing for Your Trip

Effective work at high latitudes requires a good (specific) physiology for the activity and a solid outdoors background. When it comes down to it, the main attributes one needs are a very good work ethic, lots of strength and an ability to pace one’s self for a long duration project and avoid injury, and probably most of all one needs a strength of character and the ability to get on with others.

For all the effort that goes into training the body, it must be realised that the mental attributes are worth some analysis and attention also. If you are not a ‘team player’ or find that you often come into conflict with others (even if you do think it is their fault) then you should not consider taking part in Polar Expeditions, unless you do it solo!

Of course there is much we can do to enhance the physical attributes we have and these are best achieved by specific training. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for the expedition.

The physical issues endured by Polar travellers are the sheer amount of physical output required on a daily basis, and repetitive strain injuries incurred from said activity. Weight loss often occurs through the sheer inability to eat the amount of calories you burn up in a day. There are ways to try to minimise this through diet, pace and regular snacks throughout each working day. However, on the longer trips, the result of all the effort is a lower level of performance and consequently the muscular system deteriorates through a calorific deficit. It is worth anticipating muscle loss and therefore you should train to ensure you have a bit extra before you leave.

Being generally fit and healthy and strong is paramount to doing well on these travels. Training should focus on developing cardiovascular capability and strength training for specific muscle groups. Being overweight places more stress on your system so ensure that you are not putting yourself at a disadvantage before you start. It is recommended that you focus on strength development and stamina training as your body is constantly stressed through sled hauling and dealing with the cold. Lots of gym work is recommended and a physical trainer will assist in working on any areas of weakness you may have. Additionally, a lot of long-duration exercise like hill walking (with a pack), mountain biking on hills and swimming are beneficial. Over all, it is important to ensure long duration anaerobic exercise to simulate the strain of polar travel.

However, aerobic exercise should not be ignored either as you do not want to turn up fully bulked, but not able to perform short duration bursts of energy expenditure where necessary, like when you set out and are feeling cold. During aerobic training it is necessary to monitor your heart rate to ensure you are training your cardiovascular system. This can be achieved by using a heart rate monitor or by manually measuring heart rate during exertion. A basic formula is 220-Age=heart rate (HR) maximum. Operating at 70-85% of your HR max will ensure you are exercising to enhance cardiovascular fitness.

There is no training for pulling sleds like pulling sleds! Sport specific training will ensure your ligaments and tendons are conditioned for the stresses of expedition work so if you can get an old tractor tyre out and drag it around behind you in a field then that will ultimately be of some benefit. However, this can be difficult to do and many polar travellers have focused on other ways to simulate the strains to be experienced in the polar regions.

Depending on your level of fitness and training regime you may wish to incorporate some or all of the suggestions. Working with a personal or athletic trainer will enhance your progress. Be careful not to over-train just prior to the trip as you will need all your reserves and you don’t want to ‘peak’ too early. The fact that you are looking at losing (sometimes) considerable body mass indicates the need to be quite heavy at the start of the trip so do not over-do it prior to the expedition.

What You Carry

Like the pioneering explorers we must carry or drag on sleds all the team equipment and food. This reinforces the need to take just the right amount of equipment with you for the trip and to ensure you are fit before you arrive on the expedition.

At the beginning of the expedition, each member should expect to haul a sledge weighing about 75kgs (165 pounds). This is the total weight of both personal and communal gear. Towards the end, your sledge will be closer to 50kgs (110 pounds).

Your guide will help with your equipment check in Iceland, but you will need to arrive fit and ready to tackle the challenges ahead!

Insurance

Evacuation insurance whilst on the trek will be included in the expedition fee but is limited to cover legitimate accident only and is limited to evacuation to the nearest port within Greenland. We require expedition members to carry additional insurance for evacuation and repatriation as well as normal travel medical expenses. Contact us for expedition insurance advice.

History

In 1888 Fritjof Nansen completed the first traverse of Greenland on skis in an epic journey of hardship and discovery. Nansen built large sleds for the journey which were the first of their type and required several men to haul them. Of course, modern technology has provided us with better equipment than what was available when Nansen did the crossing - but the distance and the Ice Cap are unchanged, and you still have to do the work!

Food

Food will be of the highest standard possible, given the remoteness of the situation. As we are hauling all of the gear and food for a month long period, it is usual for food to be somewhat monotonous! However, we are planning our cuisine to be varied and nourishing to ensure energy levels are maintained. Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements.

Clothing & Equipment

Adventure Consultants will supply all group gear (e.g. tents, stoves, food and sleds) whilst expedition members are to provide their own personal clothing and equipment including skis, skins and boots. A comprehensive equipment list will be provided to expedition members upon confirmation of your participation.

These days our equipment has improved dramatically since Nansen’s time allowing us to undertake this significant adventure with considerably less hardship! However, the equipment we do take must be of the highest quality and appropriate for the specific requirements we will encounter.

Obviously, weight is everything and hence we will rationalise every item we are to carry. A gear check will be carried out prior to departing Reykjavik to allow us to finalise loads.

Communication & Messages

To safeguard members of the expedition we will be carrying a satellite telephone and a Personal Locator Beacon.

Helicopter flight Tasiilaq to ice cap at approximately 1000m, begin the trek

6-32

Trek crossing days

33

Descend ice cap and transport to Sondre Stromfjord

34

Depart Sondre Stromfjord for flight to Reykjavik or home

35

Contingency day for flight delays

36

Depart Reykjavik for home

Each day following breakfast, we will pack our camp into the sleds and ski for 6-8 hours a day. Regular stops will be made en route for food and rehydration. At the completion of each day’s journey, the team will assemble tents and cook dinner.

We anticipate that the crossing will take 22 to 30 days, travelling a distance of approximately 18-20km each day ranging from 6 to 8 active hours a day.

It will take around 10-16 days to climb from the Hahn Glacier up to the highest part of the Greenland ice sheet at 2500 metres. From there, it will take around a week to get to the phantom radar station DEY-2, and then approximately 5-6 days to reach land at Hill 660 at the western edge of the ice sheet. If weather and snow conditions are good and the team is strong and fit it is possible that the crossing will be completed a few days early.

There will be time to explore and shop for last minute items when you are in Reykjavik. Reykjavik, with its neighboring communities, has a population of around 180,000 and offers an interesting mix of cosmopolitan culture and local village roots. To get the most out of your time in the central city, pick up a City Walks Map, this will help guide you between the sculptures and artwork, parks and hidden gardens as well as historic sites and landmarks. City Walks maps are available at the Tourist Information Centre on Adalstræti.

Iceland offers many activities for the visitor including a visit to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s world famous spa in which you can sit back and enjoy the geothermal wonders while giving your body a soak in the restoring waters.

Kulusuk

The two-hour flight to Kulusuk from Reykjavík will be in a Fokker Friendship 50 seater or a Twin Otter airplane. When we arrive there we will take a short helicopter flight (or boat) directly to Tasiilaq, the principal town on the East Coast of Greenland. Tasiilaq is on Ammassalik Island and we plan to stay here for two nights. From Tasiilaq we will charter a helicopter to the start of our crossing either directly onto the Hahn Glacier or to the small village of Isertoq.

Ammassalik - Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq is the largest town in East Greenland with a population of around 1700. The town is beautifully situated in a fjord surrounded by high mountains. Tasiilaq (meaning ‘like a still lake’) is a town divided in two by a small river which flows down through Narsuuliartarpiip, the Flower Valley behind the town. The unique Arctic flora in the Flower Valley makes this a great place for a short hike.

Characteristic of Tasiilaq, like other Greenlandic towns, are the small, brightly painted houses. In the case of delays, there is plenty to see. Check out the Ammassalik Museum, housed in the town’s first church high above the harbour; take a stroll through town or visit the Tourist Office near the ferry landing for other options and further information.

Enjoy your time in Tasiilaq, as it is our last taste of civilization and from here we will load our gear into the helicopter to fly up to the glacier.

Delays

Please keep in mind that if there are more than four nights’ stays required in Kulusuk or Sondre Stromfjord at the end of the trek, due to bad weather, then you will need you to pay the hotel direct for the extra nights. Please bring some extra funds to Greenland in case this eventuates.

Explore more of Iceland on one of our many day tour options, from hiking amongst Iceland's volcanoes to glacier tours and horse riding, through to viewing the Northern Lights and soaking in some of Iceland's renowned hot springs, the options are endless. Contact us for more information.

Adventure Consultants recommends the following travel insurance and rescue insurance options, although this is only just a start! Once you book on a trip with AC, your Client Liaison will help you by sending through advice on your options;

Travel insurance

Trip interruption

Trip cancellation

Medical Evacuation and Rescue Insurance

RIPCORD RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE

RipCord is the leading medical evacuation program offering elite evacuation and rescue services. With their new partnership with TravelEx, they can also now provide the benefits of a traditional travel insurance product with their just released, RipCord Rescue Travel Insurance™. This is specifically designed for the adventure enthusiast with unique trip cancellation/interruption, medical expense, sporting equipment and other coverage benefits to protect your financial investment.

RipCord is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, an elite team of special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliate physicians, paramedics, nurses, former intelligence officers and other medical/security experts comprising the most experienced team in the industry. They will rescue you from the field wherever your emergency occurs and evacuate you to your home country hospital of choice.

RipCord rescues you from the field if you have an emergent medical condition that will result in significant permanent injury and/or death, but does not require hospitalisation.

RipCord are proud to partner with Adventure Consultants to provide RipCord’s industry leading rescue, evacuation and travel insurance coverage to its clients.

Adventure Consultants can also assist with purchasing polar cover for Antarctic expeditions and if interested in this, please contact RipCord directly for a specialised quote.

GLOBAL RESCUE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Adventure Consultants also recommends the rescue evacuation and security membership/services provided by Global Rescue, which provides transport from the point of illness/injury back to your home countries hospital of your choice. TotalCare provides real-time access to medical information and coming soon, this includes urgent card and speciality consultations from some of the world’s health physicians at the Elite Medical Group and John Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.

Recently Global Rescue has released a new travel insurance product, the Signature Travel Insurance option. This has no height limitation and gives comprehensive cover for trip cancellation/interruption, medical and dental expenses, delays, lost luggage as well as optional add-ons to ‘cancel or interrupt for any reason. This is currently only available to US Residents.

Click here to find out more about this insurance cover which covers climbing and is thus suitable for many of our expeditions.

How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read more on the history of Adventure Consultants here.

A few outfitters claim to have the same level of experience and prestige as Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you the first choice for expeditions to Greenland?Adventure Consultants have been expeditioning in the polar regions for over two decades. We are renowned for the quality of service and strategy applied to our expeditions. Our reputation is attributed to the meticulous planning and logistics coordination done by our head office. Once on the ground, you can expect to be well looked after by our guides to that you can relax and enjoy this amazing country. We employ experienced and professional guides, the latest in communications and weather forecasting technology and nutritious and tasty food to ensure you have the best experience on our trips.

What showers and laundry facilities will be available on the expedition?There are no showers or laundry facilities available during our Greenland expeditions. We advise people to bring wet-wipes for impromptu washes.

Would you let us know what food will be available?Food is one of the most crucial factors for a successful expedition. We serve nutritious and filling food that will sustain you well.

What is the food like?Typical meals include warm muesli or bread with various toppings for breakfast, sandwiches with cheese, salami or dried fish for lunch and freeze-dried meals and a simple dessert for dinner. These meals are supplemented with plenty of snacks including chocolate, cookies and dried fruit and nuts.

What are the hotels like?For our Mount Gunnbjörn and Three Peaks of Greenland expeditions, Reykjavik has a wide selection of hotels and guest houses and we are happy to make recommendations according to your preference. Once on your expedition programme, you will be staying in tents and sharing with one other.

On our Greenland Crossing expeditions, we book centrally located mid-range hotels on a twin share basis through our local agents. If you would like your own room, please do enquire with our office for pricing. Once on your expedition program, you will be staying in tents and sharing with one other.

Will I be sharing a tent with other climbers? Is a single supplement available?Single tents are not generally available, due to weight restrictions on the flight to Greenland and heavy load carrying requirements.

Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts?Please arrange to arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary to allow sufficient time for your equipment check and briefing prior to the flight to Greenland.

When should I book my ticket?We generally ask you to wait until 90 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights then ensure you can make changes to your tickets and it is a good idea to purchase trip cancellation insurance, in the event that you need to cancel.

Can I get a cheap ticket online?We highly recommend purchasing an open, fully changeable air ticket, as trips can be extended by a week or more. Given the remote nature of where we will be, the weather must fall within certain parameters for us to be able to fly. In today’s world there are few places where the environment still affects our plans and Greenland is one of them!

Where do we meet? Will I be picked up?You should arrange to fly into Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland where an AC representative will be waiting to meet you and transfer to our hotel.

What if I am arriving early or departing late?We can assist you with booking extra hotel room nights if you arrive early. However, on this trip YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ARRIVE LATE, as if you are delayed or your bags get lost, you will not be able to come on the expedition!

Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit. We do also have a dedicated equipment coordinator who is happy to provide advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared and you must bring everything on the list, as there are very limited options if additional equipment needs to be purchased in Reykjavik.

How warm do we need our sleeping bags to be?This will be clearly stated in your recommended gear list. We highly recommend buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear some clothes in if it is especially cold.

How much weight do we carry on a Greenland Crossing expedition?All baggage is transported in sleds made of plastic. At the beginning of the expedition, each member should expect to be hauling approximately 75kg (165lbs). This is the total weight of both the personal and the communal gear (i.e. clothes, sleeping bag, food, fuel, stoves, tents etc.). Towards the end of the expedition, the weight will reduce to approximately 45kg (100lbs) as food is eaten and fuel burnt during the crossing.

How much weight do we carry on Mt Gunnbjörn?After landing on the glacier we drag our gear on plastic sleds higher up the glacier where we set up camp. From there we climb to the summit carrying a small pack (35-45L) with extra clothes, food, drinks, crampons and ice axe, usually weighing no more than 10kg (22lbs).

How many guides will be assigned to our group?For Mount Gunnbjörn, the team will have a minimum size of 3 members plus 1 guide and a maximum size of 7 members plus 2 guides.

For Three Peaks of Greenland, the team will have a minimum size of 3 members plus 1 guide and a maximum size of 12 members plus 3 guides.

On the Greenland Crossings, the team will have a minimum size of 4 members plus 1 guide and a maximum size of 8 members plus 2 guides.

Can I contact other climbers or guides on this expedition?Sure! Before the expedition, contact our office and we can pass on your details to the other climbers. Due to our privacy policy, we leave it up to individual team members as to whether they want to get in touch.

Who goes on your trips?Our expeditioners come from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, countries and skill levels ranging from those seeking skill development to purely adventure.

I would like to arrange a private trip, is this possible?We are happy to arrange a private group trip to the destination of your choice, and even to remote destinations such as Greenland. There is no specific group size, but obviously larger groups are more cost-effective. Please contact the office for more information or visit our Private Customised Expeditions page.

What are the skills/prior experience required for this expedition?Greenland expeditions are fairly strenuous and prior experience in winter travel and glacier crossing is important. Participants should be physically and mentally prepared for several days out in a remote area where harsh weather and conditions can be expected. A good level of fitness, along with the ability to work as part of a small team are also important, as the nature of these expeditions demands strong team cohesion and commitment.

Members of the Three Peaks of Greenland team should also be strong skiers and cross-country skiing is important for the Greenland Crossing expeditions.

What kind of physical condition should I be in for the expedition?You should train on a regular basis for at least 3 months prior to the expedition start. It is recommended that you focus on cardiovascular training as the cardiovascular system is constantly stressed whilst on the move. Running and hiking combined with strength, core stability and flexibility training are the best types of exercise to incorporate into your programme.

For the Greenland Crossing expeditions, it is important to ensure long duration aerobic exercise, gradually increasing your endurance to maintain 8 hours of vigorous activity a day for up to 25 days in a row. Core strength is important to make sled hauling easier, as well as shoveling snow when the necessity for building protective walls for the tents arises.

How do I know this is the right trip for me?We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.

What type of communication is available on the expedition?Your expedition guide will have an Iridium satellite phone and you are welcome to use this at US$5 per minute. As we rely on solar power, we cannot guarantee that the phone will be available 24hrs a day. Cold severely affects the system and delays can occur for re-warming. If you anticipate that you may need to make frequent or long calls then please make arrangements before the expedition through our office.

I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them?The Adventure Consultants NZ office receives updates from our guides while they are in the field. The best place to reach a loved one is through our office.

Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc. available throughout the trek? What voltage requirements?We take a small solar charging system on the expedition. This is used to charge the satellite phone as a priority, but may be used for other gadgets if sufficient power is available. Ensure your gadgets are able to be charged by USB or 12V car charger. We do NOT recommend bringing rechargeable digital cameras; they tend to run out when power is not available. Use cameras with replaceable batteries and we recommend lithium batteries. We can cater for special power requirements at an extra cost - please enquire with our office.

What weather report service do you use and how often do you receive a weather reports?During the expedition, your guide will receive weather updates from our local team in Reykjavik as well as updates from the Adventure Consultants office.

What insurance do we need to get?In addition to evacuation and medical insurance, we recommend that our expedition members buy trip cancellation insurance upon sign up for the expedition. We also highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy to provide cover for trip interruption, baggage loss, damage or theft, delayed flights or other such incidents that may occur during your trip. Contact us for expedition insurance advice or visit our designated webpage here.

Do I need evacuation insurance?Evacuation insurance whilst on the climb is included in the expedition fee but is limited to cover legitimate accident only and evacuation is to the nearest port within Greenland. We require expedition members to carry additional insurance for evacuation and repatriation as well as normal travel medical expenses.

Who do you recommend for insurance?You will be sent information specific to your expedition as part of your welcome package. Requirements differ depending on where you are travelling and your home location, so be sure to discuss cover with your Client Liaison before purchasing a policy.

What is trip cancellation insurance?Trip cancellation insurance is an option that may allow you to cancel your trip without losing the total cost of the trip. Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all expeditions. If circumstances cause us to cancel a trip (e.g. minimum numbers are not reached) then we refund your fees paid but trip cancellation insurance covers your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred.

Can I pay by credit card?We can accept both the trip deposit and balance payment on credit card. Please note that there is a 3% fee for all card transactions. Please contact our office or visit our online payment system.

What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?Please see the 'Payment Conditions' section above for the inclusions and exclusions for this particular trip. There is also a downloadable pdf document in the 'Trip Notes' section above. International airfares are not included in the trip price. We can, however, recommend excellent travel agents with whom we have worked should you require help with arranging your international airfare.

Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators?Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline!! Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified Western guides, proven dependable local operators, small group sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things. You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Many clients come to us after failing on one of our competitors ‘cheaper’ trips.

How do I sign up for a trip?The best way to reserve your space on a trip is to contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.

The AC office were very responsive, good at prompting the next step required with clear and concise information that minimised any miscommunication. I have a high level on confidence in that AC have your best interest in every decision made!
Mt Aspiring, 2016